MIG Wires

Choosing the Right MIG Wires for WeldingWelding can be normally defined as the join the two metal pieces. MIG welding, mostly, uses heat tomelt the two pieces together along with a wire. This third, filler metal is fed through the gun into theweld. The melted metals cool together, then creat the strong joint.Now a days any combination of metals can be joined by MIG welding, but the strength and durability ofthe joint is determined by the wire used. A careful examination of the metal being welded will lead tothe best choice of wire, also known as the electrode, for the welding.Common Metals for MIG Welding:MIG Wires can weld most metals and metal alloys. The three most commonly used metals in MIGwelding projects are stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum, although aluminum requires a specialsetup and is not nearly as common than the other two. The metals being welded together are oftenreferred to the base metals. The composition and thickness of the base metals are determine the propercomposition and thickness of the electrode wire.Selecting the Right Wire Metal:Typically, In the wire should be the same type of metal as the metal to be welded. Stainless steel wire isused to weld stainless steel, and aluminum wire is used to weld aluminum, and so on.Many MIG wires are manufactured to include elements other than the most primary metal. Theseelements, such as silicon, manganese and titanium, help to deoxidize the weld, making it less porousand therefore more stable. Steel wires are also often coated in the copper to prevent oxidation. Theamounts of these extra elements varify from wire to wire and will have an impact on the stiffness of theweld puddle. Refer to the wire’s primary metal when making your selection, and do not be put off by thepresence of these stabilizing metals. If you’re not sure of your wire selection, research your optionsbefore purchasing, or speak with a knowledgeable person of the sales field at your local welding supplyshop. Lincoln Electric also offers a ‘Consumable Selector’ guide at their website; click here and find it inthe right column. Please note that the selector’s results will recommend solely Lincoln products, but therecommendations is the most important to select a similar product from another brand if that ispreferred.Selecting the Right Wire Thickness:The second aspect of wire electrode selection is the thickness of the wire. The thickness of the basemetals being welded together determines the proper diameter for MIG Wires. Many manufacturersinclude wire thickness charts in their wire product packaging and on their official websites.Other Pointers for MIG Wire Selection:  A range of thicknesses work for each standard wire diameter, so it’s still possible to get the right wire diameter for a project even if the exact gauge of the plates being welded is unknown.

 Wire is often sold by weight rather than the length of wire on the spool. Generally it is more economical to purchase heavier spools, especially for frequent welding, but factor your welding habits into your decisions about how much type of wire to buy. Select an amount that makes sense for your own purposes, rather than buying the cheapest price per-inch spool that will not be used.